AboutPaul S. Brown, AIA Expertise How to work with an Architect. What to expect for design fees. What services are normally
included; what are not included? How do I find an Architect in my area? Why do I need an
Architect? How to be clear about your space needs. Why time must be managed properly.
Experience 24 years involvement in the practice of Architecture, including some teaching experience. Most of my work has been within the employment of various firms, but I have also done some small-scale projects on my own.
Particular interests include Environmental Design, "Green" Design, and Appropriate Technologies. LEED (TM) Accredited Professional.
I have some specific experience with Historic Preservation, Medical Facilities, Commercial Interiors, and Public School projects.
Education: Bachelor of Environmental Design Degree (Architecture), 1978, Miami University in Ohio. I am registered to practice professionally in the states of Massachusetts and Maine.
Question We live in beautiful rural setting with an early 1950's home that has had several additions cobbled on. It currently looks like an L shaped 70's rancher and has an attic type upstairs finished. This setting calls for different look - interesting roof lines, country porch, etc - plus we would like to capture more space upstairs as well as remodel the ground floor bedroom to a master's suite. One issue will be that the house now sits on the edge of a slope down to a creek. The corner of the SE foundation sits just 3 feet from the slope edge on either side on the master bedroom. We would like to add on to the living room on the NE Corner, where there is more room to add foundation (plus add a porch). Additionally we would like to cantilever off the SE corner to gain square footage. We will also go up and raise the roofline over the living room to make full size rooms on that end of the house. I have several main questions before we start this process. How much ground do I need to add foundation? (I have 16' minimum along the east side of the living room.) How far can I cantilever off the SE corner where it is up over looking the slope? Can I additionally have a deck off that cantilevered square footage? How close can a cantilevered area be to the septic tank? What considerations would I need to take into account in gaining square footage on the second floor in terms of over the new foundation and structure and then the interior over existing structure. I fear that the previous owner (an old farmer) just had his handymen do all the previous remodeling and I will be opening up a can of worms when we take a closer look...Thanks for your input.
Answer Hi Niki:
It sounds like a lovely spot.
Your plans are ambitious; this is definitely a project that needs good on-site professional advice; there is no way to give you good answers to these questions without a first-hand inspection of the property. Cantilevers are serious structural engineering challenges. You will need the services of a land-surveyor to gather information about the slopes and available building area, and put that on paper. Then you will need a registered Architect, who will also hire a structural engineer, to do a design and answer your questions. I'm not sure what part of the country you are in, but if you Google the American Institute of Architects website, you can use their resources on-line to find an Architect near you.
Good luck, I hope it goes well. I am sure there is a solution to what you want to do ... it's just a matter of proper planning.
Paul B.
